By David Kilby, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — A trio of municipal workers were celebrated on Tuesday.
The township government honorably recognized the contributions of three dedicated, longtime employees by presenting them with Employee of the Year awards at the Township Council meeting Feb. 19.
The employees recognized were Detective Joseph Gorski, Public Works Director William Askenstedt and Jennifer Santiago, secretary to the township manager.
Mayor Janice Mironov presented proclamations with the official township seal on them to each of the employees at the meeting, and said the Employees of the Year are elected by township employees.
Ms. Santiago began her career with East Windsor in 1992 as a student intern in the Municipal Clerk’s office, and then was hired full-time in June 1993 as a clerk typist in the office. She became a secretary to the clerk in 1994, municipal clerk assistant in 1995, and then finally secretary to the township manager in November of 2011.
Ms. Santiago possesses a history of the township and knowledge of various departments which make her an invaluable asset to township officials, other employees and residents, Mayor Mironov via the proclamation.
”(Ms.) Santiago consistently strives to provide support to and share her wealth of experience with new employees, teaching policies and procedures or dividing her time to ensure work deadlines are met, so that the township government operations run smoothly and effectively,” the proclamation reads.
It also says that Ms. Santiago displays an outstanding work ethic and takes a genuine and commendable stake and responsibility in her work performance and the overall conduct of township business, setting a positive example for her co-workers through her dedication and professionalism.
She was presented with the Employee of the Year award twice before for her work in 2001 and 2011, but her continuous dedication made her worthy of the award once more, Mayor Mironov said.
”She takes a real pride in what she does and how the township performs in general for the other employees and residents,” the mayor added.
Detective Gorski began his career with the East Windsor Police Department in January 2003, and “serves as a role model for this department through his hard work and dedication, demonstrated by his efforts in many worthwhile community programs,” Mayor Mironov said through the proclamation.
The proclamation also recognized Detective Gorski’s tireless work in coordinating East Windsor Township’s National Night Out event over the past six years, his D.A.R.E. instruction session in township elementary schools for the past 10 years, and his work as liaison to the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team.
”Detective Gorski is known to be a caring and conscientious employee who consistently displays a positive, professional and friendly demeanor, especially when dealing with the public,” reads the proclamation.
”Anyone in our police department can be recipient of this award,” Detective Gorski said, while thanking all his fellow township employees and police officers, and his daughter Catharine and wife Lisa, who also came out for his award reception. “I do sometimes have the habit of bringing my job home with me because I care sometimes a little too much I think, but it’s so I reflect well upon our police department, our mayor and council and East Windsor Township.”
East Windsor Police Chief James Monahan said whenever Detective Gorski is involved in a function or receiving an award, when his name is mentioned a smile comes to almost everyone in the room.
”If you know him, he has this uncanny ability to make you smile,” the chief said. “But he does take the job very seriously as well. It’s a great combination and he does an outstanding job.”
Mr. Askenstedt began his career with East Windsor about 28 years ago, and has served as director of Public Works since 1999.
”He is an extraordinarily talented, knowledgeable and energetic individual who exercises dynamic and effective leadership resulting in a highly performing and effective team in the department of Public Works,” Mayor Mironov read from the proclamation.
The proclamation recognized Mr. Askenstedt for his leadership in the township’s sanitation collection, leaf collection, brush pickup and chipping, roadway repair work, snow removal, and guiding the township through Hurricane Sandy.
”With Bill Askenstedt’s know-how and capable leadership, the dedicated and industrious Public Works employees responded to the unparalleled and widespread conditions throughout the (Hurricane Sandy) emergency and beyond,” the proclamation read.
”All of us know how hard Bill works,” Mayor Mironov stated. “He’s always looking for better ways to do things, to do things in a more cost-effective manner.
”People don’t realize how much money he has saved the town, how much revenue he has brought into the town, because he knows how to evaluate things and work through systems and get the job done, but always with the interest of the town and taxpayers at heart, ensuring that we provide beyond excellent service to the community.”
”I have a mayor and council who provide us with the resources to do what we need to do,” Mr. Askenstedt said. “And probably most importantly, I have residents who fully appreciate and express the gratitude for the things we do. I can’t tell you how great the outpouring of thanks was from residents during Hurricane Sandy.”

